The Character of God's Worker

TEXT:  1 Tim. 3:14-15

INTRODUCTION:

A.      THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH - PREACH THE GOSPEL.

B.      WE MUST THEREFORE CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE CHARACTER OF

          GOD'S PERSONAL WORKER.

C.      THERE ARE MANY PASSAGES THAT DEAL WITH PERSONAL

          EVANGELISM.  HERE ARE 3 PASSAGES THAT WE WANT TO DEAL

          WITH( Phil. 2:14-16;  Col. 4:2-6;  1 Pet. 3:15-16 ).

I.      IF PERSONAL WORK IS TO BE SUCCESSFUL, PERSONAL,

DAILY OBEDIENCE OF THE WORKER IS A MUST.

A.      Phil. 2:5-11.  CHRIST'S OBEDIENCE & SERVITUDE TO BE IMITATED.

          THIS DESCRIPTION OF CHRIST'S OBEDIENCE FOLLOWED BY AN

          EXHORTATION TO PROPER LIFE & WORK( vs. 12-16 ).

          1.       "Work our your own sal." katergazomai,bring about,  produce, cause

                    to happen( Acts 2:40 ).  We cause by yielding in obedience.  Emphatic word

                    stressing urgency.

          2.       "with fear & trembling." Reverence, respect the plan.

          3.       Why?  Because God works in us, energeo,His tools,agents.

B.      Col. 3:5-11.  THE CHANGING OF THE CHARACTER & OUR CONDUCT

          TOWARD OTHERS IS DISCUSSED BEFORE THE EXHORTATION.

C.      1 Pet. 2:1-2, 11-12,  4:1-4, 15-16.

II.     IF PERSONAL WORK IS GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL,

THERE MUST BE PEACE AMONG GOD'S PEOPLE.

A.      Phil. 2:14. DO ALL THINGS WITHOUT QUESTIONING & MURMURING.

          1.       The Christian life is one of contentment( Phil. 4:4-7;  1 Pet. 5:7 ).

          2.       Rather than gripe & complain over things that don't go our way we ought to

                   rejoice( 1 Thes. 5:16 ).

          3.       1 Cor. 10:10; Gal. 5:14-15. What does the world see? ( Phil. 2:15 ).

B.      Col. 3:8-9, 11, 12-17.

C.      1 Pet. 3:8-9;  4:7-11.

III.    WE MUST STRIVE TO DO ALL THAT OPPORTUNITY WILL ALLOW.

A.      Phil. 2:14-16. THE WORLD MUST BE HELD FORTH.

B.      Col. 4:2-6.

          1.       We are to pray for the opportunity( vs. 3 ).

          2.       Redeeming the time( ftnt. )Sacrificing pleasure.

          3.       Our speech must befit that which we are doing( vs. 6 ).

          4.       "Ye" indicates my personal responsibility, "each one" indicates responsibilities scope.

C.      1 Pet. 3:15-16.

          1.       Sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord.

          2.       Always be ready.

          3.       Give answer to every man( 2 Tim. 2:15 ).

          4.       Yet with meekness and fear.

CONCLUSION:

A.      BEFORE WE CONVERT OTHERS, WE MUST CONVERT OURSELVES.

          1.       Do we have a love for souls?

          2.       Do we see our part in God's great work?

B.      LET'S PREPARE!